brittaniethekid's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the podcast dramatization of this but I'm still counting it. The take on vampires is pretty standard but the 1980s New York backdrop and then the mystery behind the vampire kids makes the story compelling and sinister. The voice acting for the podcast was stellar and really made this story feel like it could have actually happened. I highly recommend.
echokitsune's review against another edition
5.0
I have recently discovered Buehlman and I love his style and knack for seeing things from a new angle. I love vampire novels and this is a brilliant and fresh take. Set in the 1970s this novel follows Joey Peacock, our unreliable narrator, as he navigates his underground world and we meet his compatriots. Margaret is one of the greatest heroines and female characters I’ve ever encountered. Gritty, dark, and lacking the romanticism that most vampire novels have, this one is a must read.
minhoca's review against another edition
5.0
Bloody hell!!! This book is so damn good!
It was terrifying, disgusting, nerve-wracking, it kept me on edge at every single page, more and more as the story goes by, and that end? Wow! I wasn't expecting for that. Brilliant!
The story is dark, these are not romantic and charming vampires - although they can be if it suits them - the author didn't spare you from all the gore, on the contrary, there's very graphic scenes about heads coming off, limbs being torn apart, blood baths. And "The children with the merry eyes"? They will give you the creeps and, probable, nightmares. Evil little kids can be vary disturbing.
If you like books which keeps your nerves on edge and frightened to the bone, this one is, definitely, for you!
It was terrifying, disgusting, nerve-wracking, it kept me on edge at every single page, more and more as the story goes by, and that end? Wow! I wasn't expecting for that. Brilliant!
The story is dark, these are not romantic and charming vampires - although they can be if it suits them - the author didn't spare you from all the gore, on the contrary, there's very graphic scenes about heads coming off, limbs being torn apart, blood baths. And "The children with the merry eyes"? They will give you the creeps and, probable, nightmares. Evil little kids can be vary disturbing.
If you like books which keeps your nerves on edge and frightened to the bone, this one is, definitely, for you!
jelenar620's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
stephanieq's review against another edition
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bohboh's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Wild
Buehlman did a great job keeping me guessing through the whole read. He kept teetering the line between a punk and wholesome protagonist. Themes of abuse and racism appeared and were handled brutishly but obviously as intended, which left me uncomfortable. The writing style(s) were super well executed.
Buehlman did a great job keeping me guessing through the whole read. He kept teetering the line between a punk and wholesome protagonist. Themes of abuse and racism appeared and were handled brutishly but obviously as intended, which left me uncomfortable. The writing style(s) were super well executed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Xenophobia, Vomit, Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Antisemitism, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Rape, Violence, and Suicide
Minor: Excrement, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
wombat_88's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicolelin23's review against another edition
5.0
Author: Christopher Buehlman
Narrated: Christopher Buehlman
Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
Published: Blackstone Audio
I received this book from Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.
The Lesser Dead is the story of Joey Peacock (or some we think) and his gang of not so merry vampires. Most of the Joey’s story take place underground in the dirty New York subways, and is set in 1978. Additionally, if you know a little about the history of New York you can really appreciate the author’s attention to detail. Joey’s story becomes unconformable at times because of the gritty nature of the characters. If rats, bugs, disturb you and lots of blood creeps you out, this might not be the book for you. However, if you can get pass these things this was a great read. Be warned these are evil vampires. These are not the vampires of the YA or paranormal romance fiction universe. These vampires do very bad things and they like it. The characters have interesting back-stories Buehlman pulls you in to his story from the very start.
The story was well written and remained interesting to the very last sentence. However, the author takes a non-traditional approach to the narration of this creep tale. He has a very unique almost lyric style of written. I found this book the be really funny, smart, and witty. The author narrated the book and I think he did a great job. Overall, I will give this book a chance if you are looking for something different. Reading this book you are in for a dark twisted good time.
Narrated: Christopher Buehlman
Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins
Published: Blackstone Audio
I received this book from Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.
The Lesser Dead is the story of Joey Peacock (or some we think) and his gang of not so merry vampires. Most of the Joey’s story take place underground in the dirty New York subways, and is set in 1978. Additionally, if you know a little about the history of New York you can really appreciate the author’s attention to detail. Joey’s story becomes unconformable at times because of the gritty nature of the characters. If rats, bugs, disturb you and lots of blood creeps you out, this might not be the book for you. However, if you can get pass these things this was a great read. Be warned these are evil vampires. These are not the vampires of the YA or paranormal romance fiction universe. These vampires do very bad things and they like it. The characters have interesting back-stories Buehlman pulls you in to his story from the very start.
The story was well written and remained interesting to the very last sentence. However, the author takes a non-traditional approach to the narration of this creep tale. He has a very unique almost lyric style of written. I found this book the be really funny, smart, and witty. The author narrated the book and I think he did a great job. Overall, I will give this book a chance if you are looking for something different. Reading this book you are in for a dark twisted good time.
whodey_spaceman's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0